Microsoft to NSA: “Try again.”

Berit Anderson

Berit Anderson Jul 18, 2025

Feb 6, 2018

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                <h1>Microsoft to NSA: “Try again.”</h1>
                <h2><p>As a step toward more government transparency, the NSA announced yesterday that they would be publishing the number of requests for customer information they make to private companies once a year. But Microsoft wants more, says Geekwire. In a blog response addressed to “followers of technology issues,” Microsoft’s General</p></h2>
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               <p>By <a href="/author/berit-anderson-crosscut-com/">Berit Anderson</a></p> 
              <p><time datetime="2025-02-04T05:00:00-08:00">Feb 6, 2018</time></p>
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            <p>As a step toward more government transparency, the NSA announced yesterday that they would be publishing the number of requests for customer information they make to private companies once a year. But Microsoft wants more, <a href="http://www.geekwire.com/2013/microsoft-statement-nsa/?ref=dev.cascadepbs.org">says Geekwire</a>. <a href="http://blogs.technet.com/b/microsoft_on_the_issues/archive/2013/08/30/standing-together-for-greater-transparency.aspx?ref=dev.cascadepbs.org">In a blog response</a> addressed to “followers of technology issues,” Microsoft’s General Counsel Brad Smith said he thinks the NSA should be more explicit than that and that he will forge ahead with a lawsuit against the government. “We believe it is vital to publish information that clearly shows the number of national security demands for user content, such as the text of an email,” says Smith.The Director of National Intelligence made the original announcement via the U.S. Intelligence Community's <a href="http://icontherecord.tumblr.com/post/59719173750/dni-clapper-directs-annual-release-of-information?ref=dev.cascadepbs.org">tumblr blog</a>. Perhaps, as Microsoft and Google continue their lawsuit, you can have your favorite tween follow the blow-by-blow on tumblr.</p>
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As a step toward more government transparency, the NSA announced yesterday that they would be publishing the number of requests for customer information they make to private companies once a year. But Microsoft wants more, says Geekwire. In a blog response addressed to “followers of technology issues,” Microsoft’s General Counsel Brad Smith said he thinks the NSA should be more explicit than that and that he will forge ahead with a lawsuit against the government. “We believe it is vital to publish information that clearly shows the number of national security demands for user content, such as the text of an email,” says Smith.The Director of National Intelligence made the original announcement via the U.S. Intelligence Community's tumblr blog. Perhaps, as Microsoft and Google continue their lawsuit, you can have your favorite tween follow the blow-by-blow on tumblr.

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By Berit Anderson

Berit Anderson was Managing Editor at Crosscut, following tech, culture, media and politics. She founded Crosscut's Community Idea Lab.   Previously community manager of the Tribune Company’